Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-33
Interior protection
Operative Text
(a) Free from dampness: (1) Cellars, basements and crawl spaces, in every structure or building shall be reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure. (2) Ventilation shall be provided in every basement, cellar, crawl space, and attic by means of windows, openings or vents, or mechanical vents in accordance with generally accepted standards. (b) Structural members: (1) Supporting structural members of every structure or building shall be structurally sound. (2) Supporting structural members shall be considered to be structurally sound if such members are capable of bearing imposed dead and live loads safely and if there is no evidence of deterioration. (c) Chimneys, flues and vents: (See also section 27-55 ) (1) Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto, and all other flues and vents of every structure or building shall be structurally sound and free from defects to assure the performance of the function for which they were designed and are used. (2) Chimneys, flues, gas vents or other draft-producing equipment shall provide sufficient draft to develop the rated output of the connected equipment. Chimneys, flue linings, where required, flues, gas vents and their supports, shall be structurally safe, durable, smoke tight and capable of withstanding the action of the flue gases. (d) Stairs and railings: (1) Interior stairs, of every building or structure shall be structurally sound and free from defects. Railings shall be provided in accordance with generally accepted standards for stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells. (2) Treads or risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose shall be repaired. Stairs shall be securely fastened to supporting structural members and be capable of supporting normally imposed loads. Properly balustraded railings, capable of bearing normally imposed loads, shall be placed on the open portions of stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells. (e) Floors, walls and ceilings: (1) Floors, walls and ceilings of every building or structure shall be structurally sound and maintained free of deterioration in a clean and sanitary condition. (2) Floors shall be considered to be structurally sound where capable of safely bearing imposed loads. Walls and ceilings shall be considered to be structurally sound and in good repair when clean, free from breaks, loose plaster and similar conditions.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 4 § 27-33 establishes interior structural and safety standards for buildings, covering basements, crawl spaces, structural members, chimneys, stairs, and interior surfaces. The rule requires that these elements be kept structurally sound, free from dampness, properly ventilated, and maintained in clean, sanitary condition. Specific benchmarks are provided for what qualifies as 'structurally sound,' such as the ability to bear imposed loads without evidence of deterioration.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 4 § 27-33, compliant property operators routinely inspect and address moisture in below-grade spaces, ensure adequate ventilation in basements, attics, and crawl spaces, and verify that structural members, chimneys, flues, and vents are free from defects and capable of performing their intended functions. Stairs and railings are kept in good repair, with broken or worn treads replaced and properly balustraded railings secured on open stair portions, balconies, and landings. Interior floors, walls, and ceilings are maintained clean, free from loose plaster or breaks, and capable of safely bearing normally imposed loads.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 4 § 27-33 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when interior conditions such as dampness, deteriorating structural members, defective chimneys or vents, unsafe stairs, or damaged floors, walls, and ceilings fall below the standards described in the provision. Tenants who observe these conditions may document them in writing and report them to the City of Syracuse's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrections. Tenant-rights organizations in the Syracuse area can also help explain what options are generally available when interior maintenance standards are not being met.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.